Is it safe to do activities in the mountains? This is a very relevant question, and difficult to answer. The answer will be “it depends on”. Looking into the trends in the outdoor, we might find some tracks due to the topic…After the pandemic the number of visitors in the Swedish mountains still increases but more modest then during the pandemic. We see more of “day visitors” today then before. Unaccustomed visitors are here to stay. Day touring will be the modern mountain life. The tourists will stay at one place and do day trips. We can see an increasing interest in multi activities such as hiking, biking, running and so on. And now we can see some tracks of lack in mountain security; underestimation of how weather affects, overestimate their own physical capacity and ability and give for big trust to the mobile phone. So, what conclusion can we draw from these facts?

The most important thing here is that we all build a common culture of safety. If we all take responsibility and talk about how important safety is, and that we plan for all possibilities. Take the opportunity as often as you can to talk about it and show, for example, the map and compass that shall be used. Not in a pointing finger way – rather in an informal informative way when it’s natural to do. This will be increasingly important, because due to the environmental situation – old knowledge and competence will be out of time. Security habits and rules that have been working for many years do not by default workout today. With social media, the visitors might think it’s always sunny and very nice. And I got an ice axe and a GPS so what can possibly go wrong?

With this said I think we can all contribute to a better mountain safety culture and be quite more adaptable to new ways of safety thinking. Old truths no longer automatically apply, trails that used to be always safe can now be challenging in several different ways.

• Personal accountability,  Accepting that nature is unpredictable and that you are primarily responsible for your own limits and decisions.
• Humility over ego: Treating a decision to abort a summit attempt or head down early as a sign of good judgment rather than failure.

Embracing mountain wisdom for unforgettable adventures…

Rattlesnake Milk: ”Lovers” | SOUND ON TAP

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Early morning, I stand with my back to the mountain hut. The trail shoes are freshly tied, and I take the first staggering steps. The high air is first felt through the nose and soon reaches the brain, which reflects that the air is cold and crisp. The first sign of that autumn is approaching. I am struck by the mixed feeling of anticipation and melancholy, summer is leaving and winter is approaching. Go with the sun (or the season) is the way, always on the move towards something and leaving something. That is a good feeling, the feeling of life, of being alive…

This week has been good, meeting with the Mountain Safety Council. A lot of interesting topics, such as Mountain incidents, environmental impact of trails and bridges, mountain destination survey, visiting statistics in the Swedish mountain among a lot of other stuff. We also got a demonstration by a mountain safety patrol with an avalanche dog, and also a presentation of a interesting solution with a module built up mountain bridge. Easy to transport and perfect for adapt due to water flow.

Two news on the outdoor gear area:

The Coros x satisfy Apex 4, The Apex 4 46mm from Coros is a fitness watch, designed for women and men who are involved in running and demanding outdoor activities. This robust watch offers advanced navigation and detailed training data to support your performance in challenging environments.

This GPS watch is developed for adventurers and endurance athletes, whether you are involved in trail running, mountain climbing, hiking or skiing. The Apex 4 46mm combines a durable construction with exceptional battery life and a clear Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) touchscreen that is easy to read even in bright sunlight or snow. The watch has powerful mapping functionality with global topographic maps, street names and turn-by-turn navigation, providing reliable orientation in unfamiliar terrain. Plus, it features advanced training and recovery tools, including heart rate variability (HRV) measurement, sleep analysis, and pulse oximeter (SpO2) to optimize your training and recovery. With features like dual-frequency GPS tracking and rugged materials, the Apex 4 46mm is a reliable partner for your most ambitious mountain goals. It also has a built-in speaker and microphone for voice notes or calls.

Starlink Mini is a compact and portable router that gives you stable internet connection via satellite even when you are on the move. With a built-in WiFi router and support for speeds over 100 Mbps, it is perfect for flexible work and play. It requires a subscription with a cost of 510:-/month. (You can buy for just a month)

Compact design that fits easily in your backpack. WiFi 5 technology with a range of up to 112 m². Quick installation: just plug in and point at the sky. Low power consumption: average 25-40 W. No long-binding periods – cancel the subscription whenever you want. Connect to 128 devices.

So summing up this half year, Oviksfjällen, Hamra, Skuleskogen-Skuleberget, Dolomites-San Martino Di Castrozza, Geilo, Grövelsjön, Fulufjället…A good start of the year:-)

”Much of life is about learning to always remain part of the solution rather than allowing ourselves to become part of the problem.”

River Saints

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During the winter season the Ramundberget celebrated 90 year as a mountain classic. In the yar of 1936 Brita and Agaton Norberg open up there home for skiers and since that time it has become a established mountain pearl. But as most of the mountain area the summer activity has increased. The area around Funäsdalen can offer a lot of nice activities all year around. So today I will suggest a fine tent tour in the western härjedals mountains. So put on your back pack and here we go…

The trail starts at Hållan close to Tänndalen.  Here you start your hike towards Storvålen and Andersborgsstugan a given place for a coffee.Follow the trail east of Anderssjön. Here you have really good opportunities for the first tent night. Next day you keep follow the trail towards the wind shelter Svalåtjärn. From here you go up north and turn left (west) after the Svalåtjärn, and aim for skenörsfjället. From here you will have a terrific view over the whole area. From here you aim for the wind shelter Långbrottsstugan, and here you can place the tent for the night. Next morning you turn to east and the trail towards Finntjärnen. After approx 5km its time to turn to the right (South) and after 5km you will return to Svalåtjärns wind shelter. Continue to the small lake south of Anderssjön. Here you can enjoy the sand beach here and spend the night in your tent. Now you just follow the trail back to Hållan, and your four day tent hike is done. The area is fantastic, and there will be a ot of day hikes in the area if you want continue…. 

When it comes to workout, I have been running intervals this week. 10x200m track. Well, it feel like the old men are the 60+ I am…But important for both the mental health as well for the physical…

Irie Tahitian Reggae 2026 | Hear the Quiet

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If you were going to run a marathon, would you ever consider using a car for 15km? I don’t think anyone would have given that a thought, or? But ascending Kebnekaise seems to be something where cheating is ok. From my point of view this is a telling example of when accessibility becomes totally wrong. To be honest, can anyone be surprised that the mountain rescue must help exhausted hikers down from the peak. I don’t usually get upset or emotional, but this is beyond me. From my point of view, they have lost the whole meaning of outdoor life. You can’t walk if you don’t have been crawling. Altogether, one big spectacle where the business and authorities must take greater responsibility.

Due to social media the image and expectations are that it is an easy hike in sunny weather. And this at one of the most alpine areas in Sweden. Now it’s time to stop shitting behind the shed (a Värmland expression). Both from an environmental point of view as well as from a safety point of view the helicopter activity in this area needs to be regulated and decreased. The outdoor business needs to pull one’s weight to the pile and stop using this service. Real adventurers know how to prepare and train to be able to ascend a peak like this. That must be the whole philosophy, we can’t take away the spirit-the soul of the outdoors in this way or we soon have a helipad at the peak of Kebnekaise. The whole thing of accessibility must be rethought, take outdoor adventures back to its roots, with no cuts at the corners. Let it be a marathon if it is…

The basis for a good life and a strong mind is important. We can experience that some of us are born with enviable inner strength and inner security. It’s as if they are born with a calmness and a robustness that allows them to tackle whatever difficulties life throws their way. But that’s not the case – very little is in the genes and can be influenced by the individual. Our genes account for only a third of how mentally strong we are, according to a somewhat surprising study conducted at the University of Oslo. There are some fundaments for building a strong mind; meaningful relationships and a job you enjoy. Make sure you get enough sleep, don’t drink too much alcohol, exercise regularly. Practice mindfulness and make sure you have hobbies that make you feel good. Dare to challenge your fears. Don’t be afraid of negative thoughts and feelings, they are just thoughts and feelings. Be guided by your core values ​​and your long-term goals instead of by fears and other negative thoughts and emotions.

City of the Sun – Metamorphosis

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Soon the evenings will be darker and the temperature will decrease. The autumn is waiting just around the corner. But as in the some way as the summer there are just nice expectations…So what can be more important than to get some good suggestions of small and effective adventures, just a long weekend for exploring…So today I will give you this.

The first starts in Funäsdalen and ends at Storulvån in Jämtland. You take the bus ”Härjedalingen” to Funäsdalen and from here a shuttle to Ramundberget. First stop will be at The hut Fältjägaren after ~16km. The next day its time to go to the mountain station Helags, the distance is 12km. This day is a easy hike with the Helags massif in the fund all day. The third day will be the longest ~19km, towards Sylaranas mountain station. After 9km you will reach the wind shelter Mieskentjakke where its perfect to take a lunch break. You now got two choice; either go by the Ekorrpasset or north of the Hammaren mountain. The second choice will be shorter and easier. But less exciting. At the Mountain Station you can either cook your own food or until next year buy it at the restaurant. From here its is just 16km easy hike to Storulvån. From here you can take transfer to Enafors or Åre for train connection to Stockholm etc.

My second suggestion will be at Hemavan. Here you have to fly. This hike will give you the opportunity to ascend the highest peak of Västerbotten – North Sytertoppen 1706m. You follow the trail (Kungsleden) from Hemavan towards Viterskalstugan the distance is ~9km.  Day two you start with a bridge over the västra Syterbäcken and to the peak of Norra Sytertoppen. This trail is very exposed, so it need to be good conditions for this trail. Good to know is that there is a wind shelter ~6km below the peak. Now the trail will be downhill and nice, soon you will reach the cabin for the night – Syter cabin. With the rapids roaring in the night, you will sleep well in this place. Get up early in the morning for today you will have a day of hike among the Kungsleden. Follow the trail towards the wind shelter Syterskalet. From here you just follow the trail close to the creek Västra Syterbäcken, and back to the start of the adventure.

 The third suggestion will be in Jämtland. You will start at Höklekardalen. You can get there by buss from Östersund. From here take the trail via Hosjöbottnarna to the Anaris Cabin – one of the least manned cabins. After a calm and contemplative night here you got two options (at least in summer) either you hike towards Hällådalen or via the Staalavieliekåtan. Both are very nice. (winter season the second choice is the only one) Going towards Hällådalen you will pass the Isjödalen which is a fantastic area I highly recommend. The hike will end at Vallbo from were you can buss to Östersund for example.

This week I have test the Bergans wiglo. This is a base-camp tent. The one I have tested is a for four persons. To begin with, it is a large and spacious tent. It is very stable with plenty of space and with high ceiling.

Good ventilation. But the tent has a high weight and takes up quite a lot of space. I think its a good tent, I think it could be good to change some part for reducing the weight, the pegs for example. The mid stay should have been done in a lighter variant. But for what is built for it will be (NNNN)

Jimmy Jay – Run Wild (While You’re Young) (Starday 470) [1959 teener]

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Today I want to present a current trend for scouting outdoors. As you probably can see in your social media flow, it is polarized as in the community overall…But there is a couple of areas that connects, such as: combining adventures, wellness and social connections into a lifestyle. What I can see is that physical and emotional benefits significantly is more in focus. “Traditional adventures” will decrease, in the shadow of adventures being memorable, transformative, and deeply connected to nature. Instead of traditional sightseeing, travellers are increasingly choosing mountain expeditions, remote hiking routes, kayaking adventures, and wilderness exploration trips.

Wellness trend; this area has become important. People recognize that spending time outdoors offers benefits that extend far beyond physical fitness. Research continues to support the connection between natural environments and improved mental health, making outdoor wellness one of the fastest-growing recreational trends.

Outdoor recreation trend: This area has been growing for a time now, and here my point of view here will be -Combine the wellness trend with this and you will have a winning concept. But let us first investigate the area itself first. Trail running has grown in the last years. Running with a running vest showing you’re a real runner. Running trails in the mountains named “sky running” has increased as well.  This blend of fitness, adventure, and community makes trail running one of the most exciting outdoor trends to watch.

Outdoor endurance events: In the beginning of 2000 this trend appeared on the maps. It has its ground from the military, and it has grown since that. For people who want to test their limits this will be the challenge. Ultra-distance races, obstacle races and multi-day cycling could be some examples in this area. As more people pursue experience-based achievements rather than material rewards, I can predict that this is an area that will expand.

Micro adventures: This has been in focus for a couple of years now. With people got money, but less time – this is the solution. An extended weekend can mean a lot of experiences for a short time. This has become a challenge for places where communication and experiences and challenges meet.

Exploring nature-and embracing it: well, we can also see the growth of activities with a sustainability mindset, and where you also learn something about the environment and culture. Hiking in the mountains and learning about geology at the same time is one such area.

So, what will be the conclusion from my point of view of the outdoor landscape in 2026 then? What I can see is innovation, wellness, sustainability and appreciation of nature will be the key here. Outdoor life becomes more of an overall lifestyle for the people who’s in it. My reflection will be to combine one-two or more of all this trend will be a winning concept. With the experience of genuine feeling as a base, that my five coins of it all…

The past week I was on a tour to Geilo, Norway. Really nice place even though it was summer…We stayed at hotel Geilo a classic ski lodge. 

A couple of trail running tours near Ustedals fjorden and a real nice hike to Skarvsenden 1705m. We started at Ustedalen and hike towards Fjellstölen,

from here we took the right trail to Vardahovdun and to Prestholtveien to Prestholtstölan Mountain hut.

From here the the steep climb up to the peak of Skarvenden 1705m and then down and the eastern trail down, passing Eimekroken

and Grasjuve.

A real fine day tour…

Review of Mammut Eiger Speed Hybrid pant. This is a pant developed for fast mountaineering. With a price of ~172 Euro (~1900:-) I got high expectations. The pant is quite light and smooth. With its two long zippers at the side, it is easy to ventilate and to put on boots etc. One zipper pockets and two without zippers. Ok, it is Mammut and it is expensive, but I must say -this became a favourite. Perfect fit, breathable and the pockets was enough from my point of view. So this will be (NNNNN-) the minus is the price. But a really good pant for speed mountaineering.

Deslondes + Twain – Run Wild

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“Don’t quit when you are tired – quit when you are done”. It’s all about learning to be comfortable with discomfort.

This must be taken with small step-step by step. There will be two keys to succeeding here. First, small steps, and second will be, use the mornings.

Frequency rather than volume. Perfectionism is the enemy of consistency, if you fail one day don’t worry it’s a new day tomorrow… So here comes some thoughts about strategies for this: Every day is easier than most days. A routine, a lifestyle and a structure that shows who you really are…Fire in the act, grace in the amount. This means making sure you do it, but don’t worry about how much of it you do. Mornings will be the time for it, during the day, you will always find an excuse for not doing it. Use progressive overload to build the muscle. This means doing it in a controlled way. Not going from 0-100. Early mornings don’t mean to go from waking up at 7 to 4. Start with 06.30…Never try to make up for a miss. Ok, so I missed the target for the day-I’ll do it x2 tomorrow. This will move you further from your goal. And focus on the trend, and not the position. Consistency isn’t about perfection—it’s about managing your imperfection to achieve the things you want. It’s not glamorous. It’s not easy. But it’s what separates those who talk about their dreams from those who go out and live them. Small step will take you there. Are you ready to go? Show up when it’s hard. Show up when it’s messy. Show up when no one’s watching. Show up when you don’t feel like it. Show up when the rewards are uncertain.

So, my own experience of this: It wont be easier tomorrow, do it today. Dont talk, dont think of it-Do it. That is what make things happens. I once got a colleague who always was talking about becoming a fast runner. I saw him and I heard him. But honest, I never saw him train hard, really hard I mean. He never become a elite runner by the way…Nothing comes for free, you have to create you own value of life. So why dont you start here….

The importance of mid layer…

Mid layer, this garment is one of the toughest to choose. When you’re out and about, it’s not just the shell that keeps you warm. The mid layer traps air, wicks away moisture and balances your temperature. Your choice should be based on activity, weather and temperature. So first of all you have to choose materials. Wool for example got good moister transport, warms even when its damp. But dry slower then synthetics. It will fit best for slow pace, cold conditions and activities with varied intensity.  Down, high heat to weight ratio. Light weight and easy to compress-less space in the pack. The disadvantage will be the sensitivity for moister, and need a shell layer for protection. Synthetics, we all have been use this before wool become attractive. It isolates even if its vet, it dry fast and its affordable and durable. It suits best for intensive activities, even in vet weather. But you can recognize the smell:-). We also got the Fleece, it got Very good breathability and moisture transport. Soft and light towards the body, It dry fast. Less warmth in really cold conditions. Suits best for; active use, mild to moderately cold temperatures, as a midlayer under a shell jacket

Agnes – Fingers Crossed

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Today’s blog will be about one of my favourite topics, mental strength and toughness. But first an analyse of the difference between mental strength and mental toughness.

Mental toughness focuses on performance, pushing through adversity, and enduring short-term discomfort to achieve a goal. In contrast, mental strength emphasizes character development, emotional regulation, and long-term health. While toughness is about looking unshakeable, strength is about having the tools to adapt and grow.

What is this topic all about? Is mental strength/toughness to do the 10 hard intervals you planned? or to do the 45km speed hike with backpack in just one day? Mental strength isn’t just seen in major crises – it’s seen in everyday life, when you can adapt, stand up for your values, and keep moving forward even when it feels tough. It’s not about always being positive or never getting affected, but about recovering, learning, and choosing what’s important, time and time again.

Ok, here we go. Let’s start by looking into the 7c’s of mental strength; Competence The ability to handle situations effectively, rooted in real skills and lived experience. Confidence The solid belief in your own abilities, built by demonstrating competence rather than just receiving empty praise. Connection Developing close ties to family, friends, and community so you know you are not alone during tough times. Character Having a fundamental sense of right and wrong, a strong moral compass, and a caring attitude toward others. Contribution Feeling a sense of purpose and realizing that the world is a better place because you are in it. Coping Having a robust toolkit of strategies to manage stress, stay flexible, and view challenges from multiple perspectives. and Control Realizing that your decisions and actions shape your future, allowing you to focus on what you can change and let go of what you can’t.

Have you ever wondered what makes someone a good athlete or a good leader or guide? Why do some people accomplish their goals, while others don’t? The answer will often be; He/she is so intelligent, or he/she is so lucky. But if you dig a bit deeper of that thought, we will find something else…In fact, when you start looking into it, your talent and your intelligence don’t play nearly as big of a role as you might think. The research studies say that intelligence only accounts for 30% of your achievement. What makes a bigger impact than talent or intelligence then? That will be the Mental toughness. There has been some study of this in the military area. What they could see there wasn’t strength-smart or leadership potential that was the key to passing the boot camp training to sift the chaff from the wheat . Instead, it was grit — the perseverance and passion to achieve long–term goals — that made the difference. It was mental toughness that predicted whether a cadet would be successful, not their talent, intelligence, or genetics.

Hm. But what makes someone mentally tough? The key word here will be consistent. A mental tough athlete never misses a workout. A mental tough leader has a clear goal that they work towards each morning and each day. They don’t let short–term profits, negative feedback, or hectic schedules prevent them from continuing the march towards their vision. They make a habit of building up the people around them — not just once, but repeatedly.

The good news is that grit and perseverance can become your defining traits, regardless of the talent you were born with. You can become more consistent. You can develop superhuman levels of mental toughness. If have been following me to this point, your question should now be -yes, I have understood. But how, you might ask. Please tell me, I want to go there…That my friend will be this week’s cliff-hanger. Next blog, you will find out…

Consistency beats inspiration…

Walking In The Air

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Even if a guiding session has been planned, it will always be changes due to circumstances we have no control over. But on the other hand, it will be more interesting in that way:-). This time the plan was to discover a new area in the Dolomites. The plan was to do a smaller hike in the Val Di Fiemme area, but timewise it ended up just being in the area. The big adventures must wait until the next day.

After breakfast it was time for transport to San Martino di Castrozza, passing Passo Rollo. This is a small Mountain resort in the Primiero in Trentino province. The first hotel in the area was built in 1873 by the Irish traveller John Ball. The number of citizens is 563 people. Day one was a reconnaissance tour of 2746m, the Cima della Rosetta, and the surrounding areas. So, after the success of the peak attempt it was a coffee at the Rosetta cabin. The next day the plan was to go for a three thousand peak, Cimon della Pala, but here we realized it would be to tough and technical for reaching, which led us to an attempt of the Cima Corona instead(2768m) and this with a successful outcome. The trail also included some snow field as well…The third day was a choice of a cabin tour or a peak attempt. And guess what, the peak attempt won. Early in the morning, and off we go, step by step we caught terrain, and after just a couple of hours we were standing in front of a spectacular scenery. A breath-taking view of the mountain area. What I didn’t know was that this was only the beginning of the day. The next thing was to start the descend. A good turn, where the lesson was to choose the red path. This allows you to primarily maintain altitude and at the same time avoid ravines, good experience for the mountaineers…Next thing was to hike down with speed…Really nice workout after a mountain day:-) 

The Creeps – She’s My Girl

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Today we are going to visit one of the lesser-known national parks. It was established as late as 1991, but was expanded to its current total of 16 square kilometres. It is located in Västerbotten, in Åsele municipality. By now you should have been able to figure out that we are going on a trip to Björnlandet National Park. The purpose of this national park was to preserve a still untouched section of so-called undulating mountain hill terrain. Typical Norrland nature with moraine-covered ancient rocks, coniferous forests and clear river valleys.

In Björnlandet you can find bears, wolverines and lynxes. There are around 360 bears in Västerbotten County. So you have the chance to move around in bear lands here…

Hiking here requires a lot, both the ability to navigate and, above all, fitness and balance. In part, you need to use your whole body to get through the sections. You can expect a speed of 2km/hour, so you understand that there is nothing prepared here…In the national park there are two 6-bed cabins that are free to use.But a word of warning in the summer there are mosquitoes here, a lot of mosquitoes. Here you will be alone, desolation breeds patience and perspective. One of the nicer trails to hike is the Mother-in-Law’s Trail.The overnight cabins are very nice and well-equipped with a kitchen area and an outdoor toilet.The trail is demanding, however, with endless jumping over roots and rocks.But at the same time very relaxing – interesting and fascinating. The trail is 12,6 km and expected to take about 5 hours. From the top of Björnberget you get breath-taking views .The trail is marked with green markings.

Sun On My Face | Irie Tahitian Reggae 2026

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